Media content selection based on physiological attributes

ABSTRACT

A media-playback device includes: a media-output device that plays media content items; a physiological measurement device programmed to measure at least one physiological measurement of a user of the media-output device; and a physiological control engine configured to: identify a current physiological measurement for the user; and cause the media-output device to modify playback of the media content items based upon the current physiological measurement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/241,634, filed on Jan. 7, 2019, which is a Continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/389,000, filed Dec. 22, 2016 and was issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,209,950, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/883,245, filed Oct. 14, 2015 and was issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,563,268 on Feb. 7, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Application No.62/163,915, filed May 19, 2015 entitled HEART RATE CONTROL BASED UPONMEDIA CONTENT SELECTION, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties. To the extent appropriatea claim of priority is made to each of the above-disclosed applications.

BACKGROUND

Running, as well as many other recreation or fitness activities, includerepetitive motions. For example, running and walking involve repetitivesteps, biking involves repetitive rotational movements, rowing involvesrepetitive strokes, and swimming involves repetitive strokes and kicks.There are of course many other recreation and fitness activities thatalso include various repetitive motions. These repetitive motionactivities may be performed in place (e.g., using a treadmill,stationary bike, rowing machine, swimming machine, etc.) or in motion(e.g., on roads, trails, or tracks or in a pool or body of water, etc.).Cadence refers to the frequency of these repetitive motions and is oftenmeasured in terms of motions per minute (e.g., steps per minute,rotations per minute, strokes per minute, or kicks per minute).

Many people enjoy consuming media content, such as listening to audiocontent or watching video content, while running or engaging in otherrepetitive-motion activities. Examples of audio content include songs,albums, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. Examples of video content includemovies, music videos, television episodes, etc. Using a mobile phone orother media-playback device a person can access large catalogs of mediacontent. For example, a user can access an almost limitless catalog ofmedia content through various free and subscription-based streamingservices. Additionally, a user can store a large catalog of mediacontent on his or her mobile device.

This nearly limitless access to media content introduces new challengesfor users. For example, it may be difficult to find or select the rightmedia content that complements a particular moment during a run or otherrepetitive-motion activity.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to the selection and/orcontrol of media content based upon one or more physiologicalattributes. Various aspects are described in this disclosure, whichinclude, but are not limited to, the following aspects.

In one aspect, a media-playback device includes: a media-output devicethat plays media content items; a physiological measurement deviceprogrammed to measure at least one physiological measurement of a userof the media-output device; and a physiological control engineconfigured to: identify a current physiological measurement for theuser; and cause the media-output device to modify playback of the mediacontent items based upon the current physiological measurement.

In another aspect, a media-playback device includes: a media-outputdevice that plays media content items; a physiological measurementdevice programmed to measure a heart rate of a user of the media-outputdevice; and a physiological control engine configured to: identify acurrent heart rate for the user; and cause the media-output device tomodify a tempo of the media content items based upon the current heartrate.

In yet another aspect, a method for media-playback includes: playingmedia content items; measuring a heart rate of a user; identifying acurrent heart rate of the user; and modifying a tempo of the mediacontent items based upon the current heart rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for heart rate determination andmedia content selection.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the example system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method of modifying tempo based upon oneor more physiological measurements obtained by some embodiments of themedia-playback device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of modifying tempo based upon heartrate obtained by some embodiments of the media-playback device of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example method of modifying tempo based uponheart rate obtained by some embodiments of the media-playback device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example method of modifying tempo based uponheart rate and current location obtained by some embodiments of themedia-playback device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is shows an example heart rate-based content playback screendisplayed by some embodiments of the user interface of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

Users of media-playback devices often consume media content whileengaging in various activities, including repetitive motion activities.As noted above, examples of repetitive-motion activities may includeswimming, biking, running, rowing, and other activities. Consuming mediacontent may include one or more of listening to audio content, watchingvideo content, or consuming other types of media content. For ease ofexplanation, the embodiments described in this application are presentedusing specific examples. For example, audio content (and in particularmusic) is described as an example of one form of media consumption. Asanother example, running is described as one example of arepetitive-motion activity. However, it should be understood that thesame concepts are equally applicable to other forms of media consumptionand to other forms of repetitive-motion activities, and at least someembodiments include other forms of media consumption and/or other formsof repetitive-motion activities.

The users may desire that the media content fits well with theparticular repetitive-motion activity. For example, a user who isrunning may desire to listen to music with a beat that corresponds tothe user's cadence. Beneficially, by matching the beat of the music tothe cadence, the user's performance or enjoyment of therepetitive-motion activity may be enhanced. This desire cannot be metwith traditional media-playback devices and media-delivery systems.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for cadence determination andmedia content selection. The example system 100 includes amedia-playback device 102 and a media-delivery system 104. The system100 communicates across a network 106. Also shown, is a user U who isrunning. The user U's upcoming steps S are shown as well. A steprepresents a single strike of the runner's foot upon the ground.

The media-playback device 102 operates to play media content items toproduce media output 110. In some embodiments, the media content itemsare provided by the media-delivery system 104 and transmitted to themedia-playback device 102 using the network 106. A media content item isan item of media content, including audio, video, or other types ofmedia content, which may be stored in any format suitable for storingmedia content. Non-limiting examples of media content items includesongs, albums, music videos, movies, television episodes, podcasts,other types of audio or video content, and portions or combinationsthereof.

The media-playback device 102 plays media content for the user based onthe user's cadence. In the example shown, the media output 110 includesmusic with a tempo that corresponds to the user's cadence. The tempo (orrhythm) of music refers to the frequency of the beat and is typicallymeasured in beats per minute (BPM). The beat is the basic unit of rhythmin a musical composition (as determined by the time signature of themusic). Accordingly, in the example shown, the user U's steps occur atthe same frequency as the beat of the music.

For example, if the user U is running at a cadence of 180 steps perminute, the media-playback device 102 may play a media content itemhaving a tempo equal to or approximately equal to 180 BPM. In otherembodiments, the media-playback device 102 plays a media content itemhaving a tempo equal or approximately equal to the result of dividingthe cadence by an integer such as a tempo that is equal to orapproximately equal to one-half (e.g., 90 BPM when the user is runningat a cadence of 180 steps per minute), one-fourth, or one-eighth of thecadence. Alternatively, the media-playback device 102 plays a mediacontent item having a tempo that is equal or approximately equal to aninteger multiple (e.g., 2×, 4×, etc.) of the cadence. Further, in someembodiments, the media-playback device 102 operates to play multiplemedia content items including one or more media content items having atempo equal to or approximately equal to the cadence and one or moremedia content items have a tempo equal or approximately equal to theresult of multiplying or dividing the cadence by an integer. Variousother combinations are possible as well.

In some embodiments, the media-playback device 102 operates to playmusic having a tempo that is within a predetermined range of a targettempo. In at least some embodiments, the predetermined range is plus orminus 2.5 BPM. For example, if the user U is running at a cadence of 180steps per minute, the media-playback device 102 operates to play musichaving a tempo of 177.5-182.5 BPM. Alternatively, in other embodiments,the predetermined range is itself in a range from 1 BPM to 10 BPM.

Further, in some embodiments, the media-playback device 102 operates toplay music having a tempo equal to or approximately equal to a user U'scadence after it is rounded. For example, the cadence may be rounded tothe nearest multiple of 2.5, 5, or 10 and then the media-playback device102 plays music having a tempo equal to or approximately equal to therounded cadence. In yet other embodiments, the media-playback device 102uses the cadence to select a predetermined tempo range of music forplayback. For example, if the user U's cadence is 181 steps per minute,the media-playback device 102 may operate to play music from apredetermined tempo range of 180-184.9 BPM; while if the user U'scadence is 178 steps per minute, the media-playback device 102 mayoperate to play music from a predetermined tempo range of 175-179.9 BPM.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example system 100 for cadencedetermination and media content selection. In FIG. 2, the media-playbackdevice 102, the media-delivery system 104, and the network 106 areshown. Also shown are the user U and a satellite S.

As noted above, the media-playback device 102 operates to play mediacontent items. In some embodiments, the media-playback device 102operates to play media content items that are provided (e.g., streamed,transmitted, etc.) by a system external to the media-playback devicesuch as the media-delivery system 104, another system, or a peer device.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the media-playback device 102operates to play media content items stored locally on themedia-playback device 102. Further, in at least some embodiments, themedia-playback device 102 operates to play media content items that arestored locally as well as media content items provided by other systems.

In some embodiments, the media-playback device 102 is a computingdevice, handheld entertainment device, smartphone, tablet, watch,wearable device, or any other type of device capable of playing mediacontent. In yet other embodiments, the media-playback device 102 is alaptop computer, desktop computer, television, gaming console, set-topbox, network appliance, blue-ray or DVD player, media player, stereo, orradio.

In at least some embodiments, the media-playback device 102 includes alocation-determining device 150, a touch screen 152, a processing device154, a memory device 156, a content output device 158, acadence-acquiring device 160, and a network access device 162. Otherembodiments may include additional, different, or fewer components. Forexample, some embodiments may include a recording device such as amicrophone or camera that operates to record audio or video content. Asanother example, some embodiments do not include one or more of thelocation-determining device 150 and the touch screen 152.

The location-determining device 150 is a device that determines thelocation of the media-playback device 102. In some embodiments, thelocation-determining device 150 uses one or more of the followingtechnologies: Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which mayreceive GPS signals 170 from satellites S, cellular triangulationtechnology, network-based location identification technology, Wi-Fipositioning systems technology, and combinations thereof.

The touch screen 152 operates to receive an input 172 from a selector(e.g., a finger, stylus etc.) controlled by the user U. In someembodiments, the touch screen 152 operates as both a display device anda user input device. In some embodiments, the touch screen 152 detectsinputs based on one or both of touches and near-touches. In someembodiments, the touch screen 152 displays a user interface 164 forinteracting with the media-playback device 102. As noted above, someembodiments do not include a touch screen 152. Some embodiments includea display device and one or more separate user interface devices.Further, some embodiments do not include a display device.

In some embodiments, the processing device 154 comprises one or morecentral processing units (CPU). In other embodiments, the processingdevice 154 additionally or alternatively includes one or more digitalsignal processors, field-programmable gate arrays, or other electroniccircuits.

The memory device 156 operates to store data and instructions. In someembodiments, the memory device 156 stores instructions for amedia-playback engine 166 that includes a physiological control engine168. In some embodiments, the media-playback engine 166 operates toplayback media content and the physiological control engine 168 operatesto select media content for playback based on various conditions, suchas physiological measurements like heart rate, etc. and/or currentlocation. Additional details regarding the physiological control engine168 are provided below.

The memory device 156 typically includes at least some form ofcomputer-readable media. Computer readable media includes any availablemedia that can be accessed by the media-playback device 102. By way ofexample, computer-readable media include computer readable storage mediaand computer readable communication media.

Computer readable storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any device configuredto store information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data. Computer readable storagemedia includes, but is not limited to, random access memory, read onlymemory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, flashmemory and other memory technology, compact disc read only memory, blueray discs, digital versatile discs or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store thedesired information and that can be accessed by the media-playbackdevice 102. In some embodiments, computer readable storage media isnon-transitory computer readable storage media.

Computer readable communication media typically embodies computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data ina modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transportmechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, computer readable communication mediaincludes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency, infrared, andother wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also includedwithin the scope of computer readable media.

The content output device 158 operates to output media content. In someembodiments, the content output device 158 generates media output 110for the user U. Examples of the content output device 158 include aspeaker, an audio output jack, a Bluetooth transmitter, a display panel,and a video output jack. Other embodiments are possible as well. Forexample, the content output device 158 may transmit a signal through theaudio output jack or Bluetooth transmitter that can be used to reproducean audio signal by a connected or paired device such as headphones or aspeaker.

The cadence-acquiring device 160 operates to acquire a cadenceassociated with the user U. In at least some embodiments, thecadence-acquiring device 160 operates to determine cadence directly andincludes one or more accelerometers or other motion-detectingtechnologies. Alternatively, the cadence-acquiring device 160 operatesto receive data representing a cadence associated with the user U. Forexample, in some embodiments, the cadence-acquiring device 160 operatesto receive data from a watch, bracelet, foot pod, chest strap, shoeinsert, anklet, smart sock, bicycle computer, exercise equipment (e.g.,treadmill, rowing machine, stationary cycle), or other device fordetermining or measuring cadence. Further, in some embodiments, thecadence-acquiring device 160 operates to receive a cadence value inputby the user U or another person.

The network access device 162 operates to communicate with othercomputing devices over one or more networks, such as the network 106.Examples of the network access device include wired network interfacesand wireless network interfaces. Wireless network interfaces includesinfrared, BLUETOOTH® wireless technology, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, and cellularor other radio frequency interfaces in at least some possibleembodiments.

The network 106 is an electronic communication network that facilitatescommunication between the media-playback device 102 and themedia-delivery system 104. An electronic communication network includesa set of computing devices and links between the computing devices. Thecomputing devices in the network use the links to enable communicationamong the computing devices in the network. The network 106 can includerouters, switches, mobile access points, bridges, hubs, intrusiondetection devices, storage devices, standalone server devices, bladeserver devices, sensors, desktop computers, firewall devices, laptopcomputers, handheld computers, mobile telephones, and other types ofcomputing devices.

In various embodiments, the network 106 includes various types of links.For example, the network 106 can include wired and/or wireless links,including Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB), 802.11, ZigBee, cellular, andother types of wireless links. Furthermore, in various embodiments, thenetwork 106 is implemented at various scales. For example, the network106 can be implemented as one or more local area networks (LANs),metropolitan area networks, subnets, wide area networks (such as theInternet), or can be implemented at another scale. Further, in someembodiments, the network 106 includes multiple networks, which may be ofthe same type or of multiple different types.

The media-delivery system 104 comprises one or more computing devicesand operates to provide media content items to the media-playbackdevices 102 and, in some embodiments, other media-playback devices aswell. The media-delivery system 104 includes a media server 180 and arepetitive-motion activity server 182. In at least some embodiments, themedia server 180 and the repetitive-motion activity server 182 areprovided by separate computing devices. In other embodiments, the mediaserver 180 and the repetitive-motion activity server 182 are provided bythe same computing devices. Further, in some embodiments, one or both ofthe media server 180 and the repetitive-motion activity server 182 areprovided by multiple computing devices. For example, the media server180 and the repetitive-motion activity server 182 may be provided bymultiple redundant servers located in multiple geographic locations.

The media server 180 operates to transmit stream media 218 tomedia-playback devices such as the media-playback device 102. In someembodiments, the media server 180 includes a media server application184, a processing device 186, a memory device 188, and a network accessdevice 190. The processing device 186, memory device 188, and networkaccess device 190 may be similar to the processing device 154, memorydevice 156, and network access device 162 respectively, which have eachbeen previously described.

In some embodiments, the media server application 184 operates to streammusic or other audio, video, or other forms of media content. The mediaserver application 184 includes a media stream service 194, a media datastore 196, and a media application interface 198. The media streamservice 194 operates to buffer media content such as media content items206, 208, and 210, for streaming to one or more streams 200, 202, and204.

The media application interface 198 can receive requests or othercommunication from media-playback devices or other systems, to retrievemedia content items from the media server 180. For example, in FIG. 2,the media application interface 198 receives communication 234 from themedia-playback engine 166.

In some embodiments, the media data store 196 stores media content items212, media content metadata 214, and playlists 216. The media data store196 may comprise one or more databases and file systems. Otherembodiments are possible as well. As noted above, the media contentitems 212 may be audio, video, or any other type of media content, whichmay be stored in any format for storing media content.

The media content metadata 214 operates to provide various informationassociated with the media content items 212. In some embodiments, themedia content metadata 214 includes one or more of title, artist name,album name, length, genre, mood, era, etc. The playlists 216 operate toidentify one or more of the media content items 212 and. In someembodiments, the playlists 216 identify a group of the media contentitems 212 in a particular order. In other embodiments, the playlists 216merely identify a group of the media content items 212 withoutspecifying a particular order. Some, but not necessarily all, of themedia content items 212 included in a particular one of the playlists216 are associated with a common characteristic such as a common genre,mood, or era.

The repetitive-motion activity server 182 operates to providerepetitive-motion activity-specific information about media contentitems to media-playback devices. In some embodiments, therepetitive-motion activity server 182 includes a repetitive-motionactivity server application 220, a processing device 222, a memorydevice 224, and a network access device 226. The processing device 222,memory device 224, and network access device 226 may be similar to theprocessing device 154, memory device 156, and network access device 162respectively, which have each been previously described.

In some embodiments, repetitive-motion activity server application 220operates to transmit information about the suitability of one or moremedia content items for playback during a particular repetitive-motionactivity. The repetitive-motion activity server application 220 includesa repetitive-motion activity interface 228 and a repetitive-motionactivity media metadata store 230.

In some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity server application220 may provide a list of media content items at a particular tempo to amedia-playback device in response to a request that includes aparticular cadence value. Further, in some embodiments, the mediacontent items included in the returned list will be particularlyrelevant for the repetitive motion activity in which the user is engaged(for example, if the user is running, the returned list of media contentitems may include only media content items that have been identified asbeing highly runnable).

The repetitive-motion activity interface 228 operates to receiverequests or other communication from media-playback devices or othersystems to retrieve information about media content items from therepetitive-motion activity server 182. For example, in FIG. 2, therepetitive-motion activity interface 228 receives communication 236 fromthe media-playback engine 166.

In some embodiments, the repetitive-motion activity media metadata store230 stores repetitive-motion activity media metadata 232. Therepetitive-motion activity media metadata store 230 may comprise one ormore databases and file systems. Other embodiments are possible as well.

The repetitive-motion activity media metadata 232 operates to providevarious information associated with media content items, such as themedia content items 212. In some embodiments, the repetitive-motionactivity media metadata 232 provides information that may be useful forselecting media content items for playback during a repetitive-motionactivity. For example, in some embodiments, the repetitive-motionactivity media metadata 232 stores runnability scores for media contentitems that correspond to the suitability of particular media contentitems for playback during running. As another example, in someembodiments, the repetitive-motion activity media metadata 232 storestimestamps (e.g., start and end points) that identify portions of amedia content items that are particularly well-suited for playbackduring running (or another repetitive-motion activity).

Each of the media-playback device 102 and the media-delivery system 104can include additional physical computer or hardware resources. In atleast some embodiments, the media-playback device 102 communicates withthe media-delivery system 104 via the network 106.

Although in FIG. 2 only a single media-playback device 102 andmedia-delivery system 104 are shown, in accordance with someembodiments, the media-delivery system 104 can support the simultaneoususe of multiple media-playback devices, and the media-playback devicecan simultaneously access media content from multiple media-deliverysystems. Additionally, although FIG. 2 illustrates a streaming mediabased system for cadence determination and media content selection,other embodiments are possible as well. For example, in someembodiments, the media-playback device 102 includes a media data store196 and the media-playback device 102 is configured to perform cadencedetermination and media content selection without accessing themedia-delivery system 104. Further in some embodiments, themedia-playback device 102 operates to store previously streamed mediacontent items in a local media data store.

In at least some embodiments, the media-delivery system 104 can be usedto stream, progressively download, or otherwise communicate music, otheraudio, video, or other forms of media content items to themedia-playback device 102 based on a cadence acquired by thecadence-acquiring device 160 of the media-playback device 102. Inaccordance with an embodiment, a user U can direct the input 172 to theuser interface 164 to issue requests, for example, to playback mediacontent corresponding to the cadence of a repetitive motion activity onthe media-playback device 102.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method 250 of using an externalmeasurement to control the tempo of the media content played by themedia-playback device 102.

At step 252, a measurement is obtained by the media-playback device 102.

In some examples, this measurement includes one or more physiologicalmeasurements, such as the user U's heart rate (see FIGS. 4-6),respiration, temperature, sweat, stress, VO2, etc. In some examples, thephysiological measurements can be obtained directly by themedia-playback device 102 using a sensor 169. For example, if themedia-playback device 102 is a watch, the watch can be configured with aheart rate sensor to approximate the heart rate of the user U. In otherexamples, one or more external sensors, such as a heart rate band wornaround the torso, can be used to obtain the measurements. Thesemeasurements can be communicated to the media-playback device 102 usingone or more known protocols, such as Bluetooth or ANT+ protocols.

In other examples, the measurement can be a non-physiologicalmeasurement, such as the location of the user U (see FIG. 6). In theseexamples, the media-playback device 102 can directly provide themeasurement (e.g., using the location-determining device 150 thatreceives GPS signals 170), or an external sensor can again be used.

At step 254, the measurement is analyzed. For example, as referred to inFIGS. 4-5, the physiological control engine 168 can be programmed todetermine if the user U's heart rate is at a desired rate or toohigh/low. The user U's heart rate can be analyzed to determine if itfalls within a desired range of rates.

At step 256, the media-playback device 102 analyzes the measurement todetermine if a change in the tempo of the media content that iscurrently being played is needed to impact the measurement. For example,the tempo of the media content can be increased or decreased as notedbelow.

If the tempo does not need to be modified, control is passed back tostep 252 and another measurement is acquired (e.g., in near real time orat periodic or manual intervals).

If the tempo does need to be modified, control is passed to operation258, and the media-playback device 102 determines a new tempo for themedia content being played. For example, if the physiologicalmeasurement is high or low, the media-playback device 102 can beprogrammed to increase or decrease the tempo of the media content in anattempt to impact the physiological measurement.

At step 260, media content having the new tempo is identified. In someexamples, media content is categorized by tempo and can be accessed asdesired to provide a certain tempo to encourage the user to maintainand/or increase/decrease the level of exertion through a maintenance ormodification of the user's cadence. Examples of categorizing such mediacontent is provided in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/163,887,titled MULTI-TRACK PLAYBACK OF MEDIA CONTENT DURING REPETITIVE MOTIONACTIVITIES, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Finally, at step 262, the media-playback device 102 modifies playback toinclude the media content at the new tempo. In one example, the tempo ofthe media content that is currently being played by the media-playbackdevice 102 can be modified (e.g., increased or decreased) to the newtempo. In another example, different media content having the new tempocan be played.

In some examples, the transition beat or beats between the current mediacontent and the new media content are matched so that the user canmaintain a steady cadence and transition increasing or decreasing theuser U's cadence. Examples of how to match such beats is provided inU.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/163,910, titled REPETITIVE-MOTIONACTIVITY ENHANCEMENT BASED UPON MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION, filed on May19, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an example method 254A is illustrated to showadditional details about the step 254 of analyzing the measurement. Inthis example, the measurement is the heart rate of the user U, asmeasured by one or more sensors associated with the media-playbackdevice 102, either directly or by, for example, a separate heart ratemonitor device.

At step 272, the user U's current heart rate is determined from themeasurements obtained from the sensor or sensors.

Next, at step 274, the media-playback device 102 determines if the heartrate falls within a desired range.

For example, many athletes train at a desired intensity. This intensityis commonly measured or approximated by analyzing the athlete's heartrate. The athlete may desire to keep his or her heart rate a certainlevel, such as below the anaerobic threshold for the athlete. In anotherexample, the athlete may desire to keep the athlete's heart rate withina certain minimum or maximum thresholds, sometimes referred to as aparticular heart rate zone.

The media-playback device 102 can be programmed to monitor thesethresholds and determine if the user U's heart rate falls within thedesired range. If so, control is passed to step 278, and control isreturned to the method 250 described above.

If not, control is instead passed to operation 276, and themedia-playback device 102 determines whether an increase or decrease intempo may be desirable to impact the user U's heart rate.

For example, if the user U wishes to maintain his or her heart ratebetween 120 and 130 beats per minute, and the media-playback device 102determines that the user U's heart rate is currently 115 beats perminute, the media-playback device 102 may determine that an increase inthe tempo of the media content is desirable. This increase in the tempoof the media content is performed to assist or encourage the user U toincrease the user U's intensity, such as cadence. This increased cadencecan result in an increase in the user U's heart rate into the desiredrange.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another example of a method 254B is shown. Themethod 254B is similar to the method 254A described above, except atstep 282 the media-playback device 102 compares the current heart rateof the user U to a future desired heart rate, such as a heart ratedesired at a future point in time.

For example, the user U can define a workout plan that involves one ormore changes in the user U's heart rate. For example, the user U candefine a workout that requires the user U to maintain a first heart ratefor a certain interval (e.g., 1 minute, 1 mile, etc.) and then to changethat heart rate to a future heart rate for another interval.

The media-playback device 102 determines at step 284 when the futuredesired heart rate is approaching (e.g., when the user is close to aminute at the current heart rate) and starts to increase or decrease thetempo of the media content to assist the user in reaching the futureheart rate at the desired time and/or distance. The workout plan for theuser U can involve two or more heart rate changes, and themedia-playback device 102 is programmed to assist the user U with thosechanges by shifting the media content to encourage the user U toincrease or decrease the user U's cadence as needed to increase ordecrease the user U's future heart rate.

At FIG. 6, another example of a method 254C is shown. The method 254C issimilar to the method 254A described above, except at step 292 themedia-playback device 102 determines both the heart rate and location ofthe user U. The location can be determined, for example, using thelocation-determining device 150.

Next, at step 294, the media-playback device 102 is programmed toestimate a future level of exertion for the user U based upon a futureanticipated location of the user. For example, based upon the location,the media-playback device 102 can determine that the user U isapproaching a hill. This determination can be made, for example, basedupon elevation data accessed by the media-playback device 102 and thecurrent direction of the user U and/or a pre-selected route provided bythe user U.

When the media-playback device 102 determines that a hill is approachingbased upon the location, a determination is made at step 296 as towhether or not the tempo of the media content should be modified inorder to influence the performance of the user U.

For example, if the user U wishes to maintain a heart rate in a certainrange, and the media-playback device 102 determines that a steep hill isapproaching, the media-playback device 102 can select media content witha slower tempo to encourage the user U to slow his or her cadence as thehill approaches. This slower cadence will allow the user to maintain alower heart rate as the user walks or runs up the hill.

In another example, if the media-playback device 102 determines that theuser is approaching a downhill, the media-playback device 102 canincrease the tempo of the media content that is playing to encourage anincrease in cadence while maintaining the same heart rate, since thelevel of exertion for the user U will be less on the downhill.

Many alternatives are possible. For example, the user can program themedia-playback device 102 to increase or decrease the tempo of the mediacontent based upon location features (e.g., hills, etc.), the locationitself (e.g., the user can have an increase in tempo during a certainstretch of a run to encourage increased cardiac output), and/or acombination of the current heart rate and location, as noted above.

In yet another example, multiple physiological measurements can be usedto determine the current and future desired performance of the user. Forexample, both heart rate and respiration can be measured and the mediacontent modified as desired to impact the heart rate and/or respirationof the user. Other configurations are possible.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an example heart rate-based content playbackscreen 400 displayed by some embodiments of the user interface 164 ofthe media-playback device 102 is shown. In some embodiments, the heartrate-based content playback screen 400 is displayed in response toacquiring a heart rate of the user U associated with a user activity.

In some embodiments, the heart rate-based content playback screen 400includes a playlist information message 402, a previous media contentitem display panel 404, a current media content item display panel 406,a next media content item display panel 408, a current media contentitem information message 410, a dislike control 412, a like control 414,a heart rate information message 416, and a pause control 418.

The playlist information message 402 operates to display informationabout the currently playing playlist of media content items. Theplaylist may be a pre-defined playlist of media content items thatcorrespond to an acquired cadence or an ad-hoc playlist generated by themedia-playback device 102 or the media-delivery system 104 based on theacquired cadence. In some embodiments, the playlist information message402 displays a title provided with a pre-defined playlist (e.g. “OutdoorRunning,” “Spin Class,” “Peak Performance,” etc.). In some embodiments,the playlist information message 402 displays information that relatesto the media content items included in an ad-hoc playlist such as aregion (e.g., Sweden, Europe, U.S., etc.), a genre (e.g., Country, Rock,Rap, etc.), a mood (e.g., calm, happy, etc.), an era (e.g., 70's, 80's,90's, 00's, etc.), or popularity (e.g., Top 50, etc.).

The previous media content item display panel 404 operates to displayinformation about the previously played media content item such as animage associated with the previously played media content item (e.g., analbum cover, an artist photograph, etc.). The current media content itemdisplay panel 406 and the next media content item display panel 408operate similarly with respect to the currently playing media contentitem and the media content item that is schedule to play next. In someembodiments, the user interface 164 operates to cause the next orprevious media content item to begin playback in response to detecting aswipe input to the left or right over the current media content itemdisplay panel 406. Additionally, in some embodiments, the user interface164 operates to cause the previously played media content item to beginplayback in response to detecting a touch input on the previous mediacontent item display panel 404. Similarly, in some embodiments, the userinterface 164 operates to cause the next media content item to beginplayback in response to detecting a touch input on the next mediacontent item display panel 408.

The current media content item information message 410 operates todisplay information about the currently playing media content item. Someembodiments display one or more of the following: a title, an artistname, an album name, a current position, a total length, and a tempo.

The dislike control 412 and the like control 414 operate to receiveinputs indicating that a user dislikes or likes the currently playingmedia content item. In some embodiments, the media-playback devicestores a like/dislike value associated with the currently playing mediacontent item upon actuation of either the dislike control 412 or thelike control 414. The value may be stored locally on the media-playbackdevice 102 or remotely on the media-delivery system 104 or elsewhere. Insome embodiments, one or both of the media-playback device 102 and themedia-delivery system 104 use the like/dislike values that have beenpreviously stored in selecting media content items for future playback.Additionally, in at least some embodiments, upon actuation of thedislike control 412, the currently playing media content item stopsplaying immediately or after a period of time and a new media contentitem begins to play.

The heart rate information message 416 operates to present informationto the user about the acquired heart rate. In some embodiments, theheart rate information message 416 displays a numeric value representingthe user U's current heart rate. Additionally, in some embodiments, theheart rate information message 416 also presents information related towhether the acquired heart rate has recently changed. For example, theheart rate information message 416 may include an arrow pointing up ifthe acquired heart rate has recently increased and an arrow pointingdown if the acquired heart rate has recently decreased.

Alternatively, the heart rate may be displayed in a first color toindicate a recent increase, a second color to indicate a recentdecrease, and a third color to indicate a stable heart rate. As yetanother alternative, the heart rate information message 416 may blink orotherwise indicate the occurrence of a recent change in heart rate. Inyet another embodiment, the heart rate information message 416 mayoperate to indicate how a currently acquired heart rate compares to agoal or target cadence using any of the previously mentioned visualindicators. Additionally, in some embodiments, the heart rateinformation message 416 operates to indicate if the media-playbackdevice 102 has been unable to acquire a heart rate valued (e.g., anerror has occurred, the heart rate sensor no longer reports a heartrate, etc.).

In yet other examples, information in addition to or other than heartrate can be displayed. For example, the information message 416 can beconfigured to display the tempo of the currently-playing media contentitem. In yet another example, the information message 416 can beconfigured to display an estimated cadence, as described in U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/163,840, titled CADENCE DETERMINATION AND MEDIACONTENT SELECTION, filed on May 19, 2015, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The pause control 418 operates to receive a pause input from the user.In some embodiments, the pause input triggers the media-playback device102 to pause cadence acquisition. Beneficially, by pausing cadenceacquisition, the user can take a break or otherwise change cadencewithout causing the playback of media content items to change. Users maytake break for many reasons, such as to rest/recover, to wait to safelycross an intersection, or to wait for a running partner. Users maytemporarily change cadence for many reasons as well such as to climb astair case or a big hill, to cross rugged terrain, to weave throughheavy traffic, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, the pause inputalso triggers the media-playback device 102 to pause playback of themedia content items.

As noted previously, although many of the examples provided above aredescribed with respect to running, other embodiments relate to otherrepetitive motion activities as well such as cycling, swimming, androwing.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for playing media content items, themethod comprising: receiving a current cadence of a user, the currentcadence associated with a level of exertion of the user duringperformance of a repetitive-motion activity; receiving a future cadenceof the user, the future cadence involving a change in the level ofexertion of the user during performance of the repetitive-motionactivity, wherein the future cadence of the user is acquired from aworkout plan that involves one or more changes in the cadence of theuser, and wherein the workout plan requires the user to maintain thecurrent cadence for a first predetermined interval, and to change thecurrent cadence to the future cadence for a second predeterminedinterval; and adjusting a tempo used to select media content items forplayback, the tempo being adjusted based on the future cadence.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first and second predetermined intervalsare durations of time.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond predetermined intervals are distances.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising matching transition beats between current mediacontent and new media content selected with the adjusted tempo tomaintain a steady cadence transition.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising comparing the current cadence to the future cadence, andmodifying the playback of the media content items based on thecomparison.
 6. A media delivery system comprising: at least oneprocessing device; and at least one memory device storing softwareinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processing device,cause the media delivery system to: receive a current cadence of a user,the current cadence associated with a level of exertion of the userduring performance of a repetitive-motion activity; receive a futurecadence of the user, the future cadence involving a change in the levelof exertion of the user during performance of the repetitive-motionactivity, wherein the future cadence of the user is acquired from aworkout plan that involves one or more changes in the cadence of theuser, and wherein the workout plan requires the user to maintain thecurrent cadence for a first predetermined interval, and to change thecurrent cadence to the future cadence for a second predeterminedinterval; and adjust a tempo used to select media content items forplayback by a media-playback device, the tempo adjusted based on thefuture cadence.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and secondpredetermined intervals are durations of time.
 8. The system of claim 6,wherein the first and second predetermined intervals are distances. 9.The system of claim 6, wherein the software instructions, when executedby the at least one processing device, cause the media delivery systemto match transition beats between current media content and new mediacontent selected with the adjusted tempo.
 10. The system of claim 6,wherein the software instructions, when executed by the at least oneprocessing device, cause the media delivery system to compare thecurrent cadence to the future cadence, and modify the playback of themedia content items based on the comparison.
 11. A media-playback devicecomprising: at least one processing device; a content output devicecontrolled by the at least one processing device to play media contentitems; and at least one memory device storing software instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processing device, cause themedia-playback device to: transmit a current cadence of a user, thecurrent cadence associated with a level of exertion of the user duringperformance of a repetitive-motion activity; acquire a future cadence ofthe user, the future cadence involving a change in the level of exertionof the user during performance of the repetitive-motion activity,wherein the future cadence of the user is acquired from a workout planthat involves one or more changes in the cadence of the user, andwherein the workout plan requires the user to maintain the currentcadence for a first predetermined interval, and to change the currentcadence to the future cadence for a second predetermined interval;transmit the future cadence of the user; and receive media content itemsfor playback by the content output device, the media content itemsselected using a tempo adjusted based on the future cadence.
 12. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein the first and second predetermined intervalsare durations of time.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the first andsecond predetermined intervals are distances.
 14. The device of claim11, wherein transition beats between current media content and new mediacontent selected with the adjusted tempo are matched to maintain asteady cadence transition.